The Argosy — page 157: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Playing with Fire. 145 that she had refused him and did not wish him to know where she was. Mrs, Severn was amazed at her daughter's telegram, but Mrs. Fraser, her friend, who never went to London and was a great invalid, was delighted to have a chance of seeing Laura ; and the girt was very warmly welcomed. The mental strain which she had under- gone had left her weak and pale, and she was made to go through a course of combined nursing and petting from which, however, she was often glad to escape for long walks alone. The monotonous peace of this country life soon reduced her state of confused elation and excitement to one of calm and even misery. That calm was broken abruptly and violently one morning when her mother, at their téte-a-téte breakfast (Mrs. Frazer did not appear till noon), broke silence suddenly with a sharp exclamation of horror. ‘What is it?” asked Laura. And her mother read : ‘*Sad Fatality at a Ball—A shocking event occurred last night at a dance given by Lady Caroline Hill at her residence in Eaton Place. When the dancing was at its height, a gentleman was observed to leave his partner and make for the nearest settee; but, before he could reach it, he fell heavily to the ground. On raising him he was found to be quite dead. The unfortunate gentleman was a Mr. Howard Scott, well known in literary and artistic circles. He was a member of the ‘ Atheneum,’ ‘ Arts,’ and other clubs, and his death will be regretted by a large number of friends. Why,” continued Mrs. Severn, “that must be the same man But whatever is the matter, Laura?” For her daughter was gazing at her with wide, terror-filled eyes, and gasping vainly for breath. The utter horror of this, The impassable barrier that Death reared between her and her lover showed her how hope had lived unrecognised in her heart all through these long, miserable days. And this very morning hope had had some food for growth, for, in an apologetic note from Lady Gamgee, saying Howard’s importunity had driven her to enclose it, had come a letter from Aém. A passionate appeal which had caused those crushed doubts respecting the fidelity of Constance’s story to rise again in Laura’s breast. Had he not said that there must be some horrible mistake and misunderstanding ? Did not her own heart echo his words? Was not his letter even then lying in her bosom? And now he was a¢ad, beyond reach, beyond . recall! Ah! now she knew too well that she loved him, but 4e would never know. “What is it?” reiterated Mrs. Severn, anxiously. But Laura never answered. She had fainted. When she recovered consciousness it was to tell her mother al/, without any reservations whatever. Though she was inexpressibly shocked by the revelation of what she inwardly termed Laura’s un- christian and revengeful spirit, she showed a very Christian forbearance herself, and did not reproach her daughter by one word or look 9 — comicbooks.com